Tuesday, October 11, 2016

UPDATE: The Business Insider reported: "U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Friday called her criticism of National Football League player Colin Kaepernick "inappropriately dismissive and harsh" and said she should not have commented on his protest against racism and police brutality in the United States." In the NYTimes Justice Ginsburg said she should have declined to comment.

“Some of you have inquired about a book interview in which I was asked how I felt about Colin Kaepernick and other N.F.L. players who refused to stand for the national anthem,” she wrote in a note to reporters. “Barely aware of the incident or its purpose, my comments were inappropriately dismissive and harsh. I should have declined to respond.”

We're getting close now. Election season is almost over, and I can barely wait for it to end. I suspect that a lot of folks feel the way I do now. I'm about numb from the droning din of the election antics, the daily charges and counter-charges pitched across the partisan divide of character assassinations.Today, one thing stood out to me, and it had nothing to do with the election. It is about Colin Kaepernick. And one of the Supreme Court's icons, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Katie Couric interviewed her, and asked about Kaep's "taking the knee." (By the way, without any disrespect to the venerable Rosa Parks, my opinion is that "taking the knee" is preferable in these circumstances and this time period to "staying seated" because, now, it is more difficult to criticize a person on bended knee than one protesting by staying seated.) I am flabbergasted at Justice Ginsburg's response.

"When asked by Couric how she feels about San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, and other athletes, refusing to stand for the anthem, Ginsburg replied, "I think it's really dumb of them...I think it's a terrible thing to do, but I wouldn't lock a person up for doing it. I would point out how ridiculous it seems to me to do such an act...What I would do is strongly take issue with the point of view that they are expressing when they do that."

"All I can say is that I am sensitive to discrimination on any basis because I have experienced that upset...I looked at that sign, and I said, 'I am a Jew, but I'm an American, and Americans are not supposed to say such things," she recalled.

Whiplash!

On the one hand, a carefully calibrated, peaceful, prominent protest against oppression is characterized by a Supreme Court Justice as "dumb...terrible...ridiculous" even as she expresses in the interview that she is "sensitive to discrimination" while taking issue with the protesters "point of view."

Without doubt, the esteemed Justice is much smarter and accomplished than I, but her response exposes a duplicity of her position of epic proportions.

Colin was clear and explicit in his statement.

"I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color," Kaepernick told NFL Media in an exclusive interview after the game. "To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder."Our flag and anthem declare our national principles.

My white stripes stand for liberty and equality for all.My blue is the blue of heaven, loyalty, and faith.I represent these eternal principles: liberty, justice, and humanity.I embody American freedom: freedom of speech, religion, assembly, the press, and the sanctity of the home.

I take the knee with Kaep, hand over heart, - and encourage you to, too, at every opportunity.

Thursday, October 6, 2016

Alabama Political Reporter has obtained an email in which members of a special interest group appear to openly discuss how they hope to influence the Huntsville City Council in return for their organization’s campaign donations.

The author of the email writes,“If Devyn wins, that balance of power will definitely shift, and our mayor/council leadership teams in both Huntsville and Madison could be the strongest in years. We need to all be very active in making that happen by reaching out to everyone we know in Huntsville District 1.”

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I didn't plan or want to start this blog. For three years years I had the privilege and honor of being a front pager at Left in Alabama. Friday, November 13,2009 was my unlucky day because my privileges were revoked. Prior to my privileges being revoked I was constantly being advised how to write, what to write, and finally informed if I wanted freedom of speech I needed to start my own blog.

I didn't leave Left in Alabama, Left in Alabama left me, literally. Despite sincere, begging and groveling I am not allowed to express my opinions there, and that's a pity since it's supposed to be the blog of record for progressive, informed, democrats, but the Righty's have more privileges.

I don't have any illusions as to my "influence" or importance in the world, but I love my country, and in my own way I hope to make a difference because I want to make this world we live in a better place for everyone.

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If you want to know more about me, where I stand and what I stand for I invite you to read my writings at Left in Alabama for a historical perspective.

Contact me redeyeblog.alabama@yahoo.com

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